Our Illinois Getaway

We arrived at about the time that the movers were just finishing delivering the furnishings for Bob-O and Renee's second home in Elizabeth IL. The road was just wide enough to keep us on it, but to play it safe, we parked there until the truck left.

Yup, this must be the place since this is definitely one of Bob-0's five BMW's. He believes in red too.

This part of Illinois is very high and hilly because it is so close to the Mississippi River, so the views are spectacular. The property is five+ acres and this is the sloping back yard. At the center is a path that leads into the deep woods.

Both Dave and I took about forty shots of this view. In the distance is Iowa, beyond the bluffs of the Mighty River.

The house was built in 1990, as a halfway house for returning missionaries. There are 4 bedrooms and 4 fireplaces. Two living rooms and two decks make it very lavish. The one thing it doesn't have in abundance is closets. But who cares? One could stay naked for weeks in this secluded site.

In the morning we all walked the property and were astounded by more beautiful vistas. Who knew Illinois could be so beautiful?


One assumes there was once a farmhouse on this hilltop. There is a grand ranch below today, with sheep, llamas, cattle and emus!

Click for Emus

Someone is keeping the grass short on this path, and Bob-O will have to hire this fellow to keep control over his piece of Heaven.


The way home from our walk leads to the Pastor's Cabin, the other house on their property. It is also an uptodate home, with a very cosy living space, a huge deck and warm walk-out first level. This place is made to have visitors and we intend to be just that, early and often. The fall colors haven't really begun and we can just imagine them, the snow, and the Spring emerging green. What a super place to have friends gather.



I was asked to help choose paint chips to color up the interiors of the house, and I found these suggestions from Mother Nature. Don't leave out that wild Purple Aster color!

The Getaway Car and Missy the Cockapoo

All the way home we tried to figure out a way to have a spot like that of our own, and I was ready to cross Mexico off my list in favor of Illinois. But what about southern Wisconsin, and what about Florida, and what about being close to airports since I would need to keep working to pay for such a place...Nevermind.

We decided that a getaway spot would be available for rent almost anywhere we want to go. And we needn't feel that we had to own it, in order to have the great experience of being there.

And then we wouldn't have to pack up all the junk we own, which is the most overwhelming thought one can have. It takes all the wanderlust out of my being. Phew! That was close.